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Romans 4 • Justification by Faith
Introduction
This is a very important chapter doctrinally for all Christians. It explains how God justifies – that is, declares righteous –
ungodly people through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whereas “salvation” is a broad term which includes all
that God does for the believer in Christ, “justification” is more of a legal term describing our perfect standing before God in
the righteousness of Christ. In this chapter, Paul uses the example of Abraham to illustrate three great facts about
justification by faith. Abraham’s a very important example in this regard because he lived and died LONG before God
through Moses would give the Law. So we’re learning about the greater principles of God’s working.
1
What then shall we say that Abraham,
our forefather according to the flesh, has
found? 2For if Abraham was justified by
works, he has something to boast about,
but not before God. 3For what does the
Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED
GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS
RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 4Now to the one who
works, his wage is not credited as a favor,
but as what is due. 5But to the one who
does not work, but believes in Him who
justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited
as righteousness, 6just as David also
speaks of the blessing on the man to
whom God credits righteousness apart
from works:
“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE
7
LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN
FORGIVEN,
AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
8
BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE
LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT.”
[Read v.1-8]
Q: Why did the Jews refer to heaven as “Abraham’s Bosom”?
A: It was their acknowledgment of Genesis 15:6 concerning Abraham –
“Then he believed in the LORD, and He reckoned it to him as
righteousness.” – as a confirmation of their certainty that Abraham was
justified before, and accepted by, God. It was an expression that left no
doubt that they believed Abraham to have been saved.
Q: So knowing this, why is Paul challenging them with the question, “How
was Abraham justified in the flesh?”
A: It established the fact that the gift of righteousness came not as the
result of works, but by faith in God’s revealed Word. It couldn’t possibly
be the result of works.
Q: Paul here uses the word “credited”. What similar terms does he use in
v.8-11 and 22-24?
A: He uses again several more times the word “credited”. Some
translations will alternate using “reckon”, “impute’, and/or “count”.
Q: What do these terms actually mean?
A: They all mean “to put to a person’s account”.
Point: Justification means that righteousness has been credited (put to our
account) to give us a right standing before God. One might define “sanctification”
as righteousness imparted – made a part of our life – to give us a right standing
before men so that they will see and believe we are Christians. Both are a part of
salvation which James argues are necessary since it’s no good to say one has
faith in God if their life does not reveal faithfulness to God. (See James 2:1426.)
Q: Can salvation be BOTH a reward for works AND a gift through grace?
A: No, it cannot be both. In v.5 it’s clearly articulated that God “justifies
the ungodly” – not the righteous – through faith and not works.
Q: How did this sharply conflict with Jewish thinking of the day?
A: They believed God justified religious people on the basis of their works
and being born into Israel, a kind of “state church’ if you will. Paul proves
that “Father Abraham” was saved simply on the basis of faith, someone
to whom this happened long before the Old Testament Law was given,
and someone not actually born into Israel. (Remember, Abraham being
the very first called was actually BOTH a Jew and Gentile.)
Q: Who does Paul use to confirm these things concerning Abraham?
A: David. Israel’s great king also taught justification by faith apart from
works.
Romans 4 • Justification by Faith, Page 1 of 4
Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
Permission. All other content, materials, etc. are Copyright © 2003—© 2010 by Walk with the Word. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit use freely granted. Any
questions or comments concerning Walk with the Word should be directed to [email protected]
Q: So why doesn’t God credit sin to our account?
A: Because that was charged to Christ’s account.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that
we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything,
charge that to my account;
Philemon 18
Point: Justification comes about as the result of faith, not works.
9
Is this blessing then on the
circumcised, or on the uncircumcised
also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED
TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
10
How then was it credited? While he was
circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while
circumcised, but while uncircumcised;
11
and he received the sign of
circumcision, a seal of the righteousness
of the faith which he had while
uncircumcised, so that he might be the
father of all who believe without being
circumcised, that righteousness might be
credited to them, 12and the father of
circumcision to those who not only are of
the circumcision, but who also follow in
the steps of the faith of our father
Abraham
which
he
had
while
uncircumcised.
13
For the promise to Abraham or to his
descendants that he would be heir of the
world was not through the Law, but
through the righteousness of faith. 14For if
those who are of the Law are heirs, faith
is made void and the promise is nullified;
15
for the Law brings about wrath, but
where there is no law, there also is no
violation.
16
For this reason it is by faith, in order
that it may be in accordance with grace,
so that the promise will be guaranteed to
all the descendants, not only to those who
are of the Law, but also to those who are
of the faith of Abraham, who is the father
of us all, 17(as it is written, “A FATHER OF
MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the
presence of Him whom he believed, even
God, who gives life to the dead and calls
into being that which does not exist.
[Read v.9-17]
Q: Abraham lived many hundreds of years before the covenant to come
through Moses. Which covenant is therefore being referred to here?
A: This is the covenant God first made with Israel through Abraham. The
sign of this covenant was circumcision.
Q: How is Paul’s example of Abraham a confirmation that salvation comes
about by faith alone and not merely because one is born into Israel – that
is, circumcised?
A: Paul highlights the fact that Abraham’s faith and salvation, which the
Jews were so confident in that they referred to heaven as “Abraham’s
Bosom”, took place fourteen years BEFORE he was circumcised.
Point: Circumcision is the seal of the covenant, the rite making a Jewish child a
part of the system of law. Yet Abraham, the “Father” of the Jews, was in effect a
Gentile (that is, uncircumcised) when he was saved!
Q; What is the purpose of circumcision?
A: It’s supposed to be an outward sign of a spiritual relationship, much
like baptism today.
Point: No physical ceremony can produce spiritual changes, yet the Jews of
Paul’s day, like many “religious” people today, trusted in the ceremonies – the
outward signs – to the degree that they began ignoring the saving faith required
of them.
And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will
he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and
circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? For he is not a Jew
who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in
the flesh.
Romans 2:27-29
Q: In v.1-8 Paul contrasted faith and works. What is he contrasting in v.1317?
A: Law and grace.
Q: What is the key word repeated throughout these verses?
A: “Promise”.
Q: What do you suppose is being referred to in v.13 when God promises
Abraham “he would be heir of the world”?
A: It’s an indication of the glorious kingdom ruled over by the Promised
Romans 4 • Justification by Faith, Page 2 of 4
Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
Permission. All other content, materials, etc. are Copyright © 2003—© 2010 by Walk with the Word. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit use freely granted. Any
questions or comments concerning Walk with the Word should be directed to [email protected]
Seed, Christ, and how it was not given in connection with the Law or
circumcision, but by God’s grace alone.
Q: According to v.14-15, can works and faith exist side-by-side?
A: No. the Law only brings wrath and reveals sin. The Law completely
cancels grace just as works will cancel faith. The two cannot exist sideby-side.
Q: So how could Abraham be saved by the Law when the Law was not yet
given, a belief Jews strongly held about themselves?
A: Paul concludes that justification comes by grace through faith and
therefore ALL people – BOTH Jews and Gentiles – can be saved.
Abraham is not merely the father of the Jews, but “the father of us all”
(v.16), that is all who follow in his steps of faith.
Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith
who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God
would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel
beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE
BLESSED IN YOU.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with
Abraham, the believer.
Galatians 3:6-9
Point: Justification comes about as the result of grace, not Law.
18
In hope against hope he believed, so
that he might become a father of many
nations according to that which had been
spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS
BE.” 19Without becoming weak in faith he
contemplated his own body, now as good
as dead since he was about a hundred
years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s
womb; 20yet, with respect to the promise
of God, he did not waver in unbelief but
grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,
21
and being fully assured that what God
had promised, He was able also to
perform. 22Therefore IT WAS ALSO
CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
23
Now not for his sake only was it written
that it was credited to him, 24but for our
sake also, to whom it will be credited, as
those who believe in Him who raised
Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25He who
was delivered over because of our
transgressions, and was raised because of
our justification.
[Read v.18-25]
Q: In v.1-8 Paul contrasted faith and works and in v.9-17 he contrasted
grace and the Law. What is he contrasting in this final section?
A: Life and death. In v.17 Paul identifies that God “gives life to the dead”,
and that Abraham and Sarah were “dead” in their bodies because of
being well past the normal age of child-bearing.
By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even
beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful
who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man,
and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the
stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is
by the seashore.
Hebrews 11:11-12
Q: So what is the greater spiritual teaching behind two people who were so
old that their flesh was considered dead and yet enabled by God to bear a
son?
A: It’s the greater example of the resurrection power of the Spirit at work.
Q: What things comprised Abraham’s faith?
A: All Abraham had was God’s promise, and his faith in God to keep that
promise accomplished God’s salvation in his life.
Point: This is exactly how it is with each of us as an example of the miracle of
salvation. As long as people depend on the flesh and feel they have enough
strength to please God they will never be justified. But when we come to the end
of ourselves, admit we are dead, and cease to strive in our own efforts, God is
able to “raise us from the dead” to give new life and standing before Him. Just as
Abraham’s simple faith in God’s Word justified him, so sinners today are justified.
Romans 4 • Justification by Faith, Page 3 of 4
Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
Permission. All other content, materials, etc. are Copyright © 2003—© 2010 by Walk with the Word. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit use freely granted. Any
questions or comments concerning Walk with the Word should be directed to [email protected]
Q: Did this come about because Abraham was an exceptional individual of
extraordinary importance?
A: No, that’s the point of v.24. We are saved the same way he was, by
faith.
Point: When a sinner believes the promise of God’s Word he becomes a
Christian through the same resurrection power as Abraham.
Q: So how does Paul summarize in v.25 the basis for justification?
A: The death and resurrection of Christ.
Point: The fact that Christ died proves we are sinners, and the fact that God
raised Him from the dead proves we are justified by His blood. This is, again,
evidence that justification is the result of His resurrection power, not human
effort.
Overall Application
How do you view your standing before God through Christ? Justification is not
just a talking point to be discussed, but an application for Christian living. Many
false doctrines and cults have been formed around the misapplication of the
basic characteristics of justification. Do you struggle with any of these areas?
How might you need to change your behavior or ways to better apply them to
your walk?



Justification is by faith, not works. (v.1-8)
Justification is by grace, not Law. (v.9-17)
Justification is by resurrection power, not human effort. (v.18-25)
Romans 4 • Justification by Faith, Page 4 of 4
Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
Permission. All other content, materials, etc. are Copyright © 2003—© 2010 by Walk with the Word. Permission for personal and/or not-for-profit use freely granted. Any
questions or comments concerning Walk with the Word should be directed to [email protected]